A rainy day welcomed the newest residents for disabled veterans and their families as the PenFed Grand Lodge in Haymarket, Va., was dedicated. Among the dozens of volunteers, retired military personnel and friends and families stood under umbrellas while listening to speeches, the mood was somber and respectful.
Willing Warriors grew out of a desire by a local church to provide a “taste-of-home” Christmas experience for service members recovering at the Walter Reed National Military Hospital. The small and resolute individuals involved in this program moved on to create the Willing Warriors as a volunteer and community-supported 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization officially started on July 4, 2015. Since its beginning, over 2,400 warriors and their families have attended the Retreat at Bull Run in Haymarket where they are provided with non-medical programs that are designed to positively affect the well-being of these service members and their families.
During the retreat, or respite, the warriors and their families are provided a relaxing environment where the recovering warriors can participate in forty activities designed to heal their bodies and minds. Available activities include massage therapy, horseback riding, fishing, hiking or a helicopter tour as well as canine support services.
During the six-day retreat, each warrior and his/her family are treated to a five-star meal prepared by the Visiting Chef Program (VCP). These chefs, volunteers from both the military and local restaurants, work with the families to ensure that the meals prepared are both nutritious and are what the families enjoy. Jack O’Connor, one of the Sous Chefs participating in the program is a retired Air Force chef who was present during the dedication ceremonies.
“I wanted to be part of this program,” he said. “Having been a chef in the Air Force, I was able to provide healthy food for my fellow service members. As part of the VCP (Visiting Chef Program), I work with each family before they arrive to ensure that the meals I and other chefs are providing an individual experience that is special. We go over what the incoming families like and dislike and when they arrive, do not have to worry about cooking.”
The PenFed Grand Lodge was created with the assistance of the PenFed Credit Union, the PenFed Foundation and other community partners including Lockheed Martin, JANSON Communications, Micron, Strategic ACL, Contract Solutions, the Neal Nichols Family Foundation, and the Robert Trent Jones Foundation. Some of these organizations have sponsored specific rooms and areas around the site.
With this latest addition, the Willing Warriors (WW) organization will be able to expand its services to over six hundred service members, called warriors. The newest lodge is a spacious six-bedroom home with a large multipurpose room which will provide the residents with a variety of programs designed to assist with their post traumatic recovery.
For more information about the Willing Warriors (WW) foundation and program, please visit: http://www.willingwarriors.org .
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